Anna Szeląg-Sikora

Energy Islands as a Potential Source of Securing the Energy Supply of Bio-Feedstock for Biogas Plants

The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of building energy islands in the Malopolskie Voivodeship. Their primary source of energy would be the agricultural biogas plants. Such actions result from the necessity of limiting the use of conventional energy, as well as the interest in Renewable Energy Sources (RES), which leads to the search for alternative solutions. To some extent, such actions should secure both national and local energy management. One of the possible solutions includes biogas plants, which is mainly attributable to the raw material resources. The use of co-fermentation from different feedstock fractions increases the possibility of energy production, while reducing the amount of waste from the agri-food industry and the out-of-date food.

Possibility to Utilize Fish Processing By-Products in the Context of Management of Non-renewable Resources

Fish processing generates considerable amounts of waste which constitutes a potential threat to the environment. The aim of this paper was to assess the possibility to use processing waste for anaerobic digestion and to use the generated digestate for fertilization purposes. This research involved evaluation of chemical composition of waste from a carp processing plant and of the digestate after methane fermentation. The content of dry matter, organic carbon, nitrogen, and other macroelements was determined in the samples. Moreover, the content of trace elements was determined. Dry matter content in the studied waste was 40%. Nitrogen content was approximately 5.56%, phosphorus—1.758%, calcium—0.4%, whereas mean potassium content was 0.502 g kg−1. As a result of conducting methane fermentation, a reduction in nitrogen content by about 50% and a considerable increase in quantity of almost all elements were observed. A high zinc content was recorded in the digestate, whereas concentration of other microelements was at a level close to the one in natural fertilizers. Concentrations of heavy metals did not exceed permissible values for organic fertilizers. The studied material can be a component for fertilizer production, and its fertilizing value depends mostly on nitrogen and phosphorus content.

Traditional and New Women's Roles in Rural Areas

Entering Poland to European Union which resulted in accepting The Common Agricultural Policy caused a variety of changes in polish villages and countries. Previous problems of rural areas like fragmentation and low efficiency of farms, bad financial situation of inhabitants, high rate of unemployment, relatively low educational level and lack of professional practice in non-agricultural occupations caused by lack of workplaces outside of agriculture – were visible and highlighted to a greater extend. Also traditional understanding of women’s role as mothers and wives making ancillary works in agricultural farms has changed. Picture of modern country woman shows two opposing tendencies. On one hand it is fulfilling by women the traditional roles and patterns of behaviour resulting from traditional model, on the other hand new roles connected with awakened educational and working aspirations and non-agricultural activity. Realization of expectations connected with traditional and new duties of country women carries a number of difficulties, but will be possible with institutional support and common acceptance of new roles of women in system of values or rural communities.